Courageous Leadership Colloquium Sessions, Oct. 28-29

Courageous Faith: Boldly Being Yourself

Ryan Franklin ’21, Admissions Counselor, Assistant Men’s Basketball Coach, The University of Olivet
Wednesday, 9:15 – 9:45 a.m.

Growth is uncomfortable, and transformation takes courage. In this session, you will learn how Ryan’s Christian faith has shaped his journey as a student, coach, and mentor. He explains why living your faith openly is one of the boldest leadership choices you can make. Courageous Faith is what allows you to confidently be bold in being who you were created to be. Drawing on lessons from the weight room and the basketball court, Ryan will be communicating how faith, like strength, is built through consistency and resistance. The session will also cover what it means to hold on to your values when facing adversity, and why courageous faith matters for the people who are watching you lead.  If you are one who is ready to confidently stand on courageous faith, be bold and tune in!

Ryan Franklin graduated from The University of Olivet in 2021 with a bachelor’s degree in exercise science and is currently an Admissions Counselor for his Alma Mater. He works with high school students across Southeast Michigan and helps them see the value of a college degree and the real family community he found at Olivet.

Ryan also serves as an assistant coach for the UO men’s basketball team and helps with the team’s strength and conditioning. Whether he’s in the weight room or the admissions office, his focus is in sync: helping individuals grow in confidence and character.

Ryan’s Christian faith is at the center of his life. He understands growth and transformation come with the journey of becoming who God has called each person to be. He lives out his life with integrity and a positive spirit. His deepest desire is that those he encounters experience God’s presence personally.

Courageous Self-Promotion on LinkedIn and Beyond

Leah Hopkins, Hoppy’s Designs, founder, graphic designer and photographer
Wednesday, 9:45 – 10:30 a.m.

In this dynamic session, Leah Hopkins will use authentic examples of marketing and promotional materials and approaches to show participants how to strengthen their LinkedIn presence, expand their professional network, and use digital platforms to create new career opportunities. She will share practical strategies for presenting your skills and experience with confidence, building a professional website or portfolio, making stronger connections, and positioning yourself for the opportunities you want next. Participants will leave with concrete steps they can take immediately to improve their digital presence and promote themselves more courageously.

Leah holds a Bachelor of Arts in Graphic Design from The University of Olivet ’24 as well as an Associate of Science in Graphic Design from Kellogg Community College ’21. Since 2018, she has been strengthening her skills through education, internships, and professional employment in the Midwest. As a UOlivet student, Leah participated in a total of six internships and work-study positions by the time she graduated, including being employed by The University of Olivet’s Marketing Team as a Graphic Design Intern.

Post-graduation, Leah has been running her own creative business, Hoppy’s Designs, works as a full-time Creative Graphic Designer for Tranter Graphics in Syracuse, Indiana, and also designs wedding suites for The Printed Event in Kalamazoo, MI on a contract basis. She’s an Influential Women Verified, an award-winning photographer, and for better or worse, doesn’t know how to stop pushing the envelope to be the very best professional she can be.

Being Courageous Doesn't Come Easy

Dustin J. Byrd, Ph. D., Professor of Philosophy and Religious Studies, The University of Olivet
Session: Wednesday, 10:30 – 11:15 a.m.

Being a philosopher means being committed to truth-telling regardless of whether it is in one’s interest or not. Courage is a requirement for such a way of being in the world. However, courage doesn’t come easy; being courageous is a choice that one has to actively commit to daily. Yet, we must ask, how do we find the courage to “be” the values that we espouse? What is the price for principled courage in an antagonistic world, and how do we accept the consequences of such courage, consequences that are not always pleasant? Through historical examples, we see how the best of humanity actualized courage in their struggle for the advancement of humanity.

Session Takeaways

1. The session is about “being” courageous as opposed to “finding courage.” “Being” is a perpetual state, while “having courage” or “finding courage” implies it is something episodic, temporary, or outside of oneself. Yet, “being courageous” is not easy; it is a conscious choice.
2. We will look at historical examples of people who “were courageous” in the face of opposition or fear.
3. We will explore how we can educate/train ourselves to “be courageous” or to “live courageously” as a constitutional part of who we are.

Dustin J. Byrd, Ph.D. is Professor of Philosophy and Religious Studies at The University of Olivet. He has taught at the collegiate level for over 20 years. He has authored seven books, edited and/or co-edited nine books, and has published dozens of articles on the subjects of political philosophy, psychoanalytic political theory, ethics, populism, Malcolm X, Frantz Fanon, Ali Shariati, and Sigmund Freud. He is the founder and Editor-in-Chief of Ekpyrosis Press; the founder and co-director of the Institute for Critical Social Theory; the Editor-in-Chief of the journal Critical Perspectives. Just last year he won the Doctors Gordon and Peggy Riethmiller Award for Excellence in Teaching, as well as the Presidential Distinguished Medalist Most Influential Professor.

Ideation, Execution & Adherence: Bold Infusion of AI in the Insurance Industry

Steve Ellis, MBA ’24, CPCU, AIC, Claims Executive, The University of Olivet MBA Faculty, & Taylor Smith, President and CEO of Suite 200 Solutions
Wednesday, 11 – 11:45 a.m.

Process Thinking Leads to Courageous Growth

Dennis Paquette, Assistant Professor of Health & Human Performance, Assistant Wrestling Coach, The University of Olivet
Wednesday, 12 – 12:45 p.m.

When doing the minimum feels normal, high standards can feel like too much. Choosing excellence anyway takes courage. It can also create tension, because high achievers and people who settle for “good enough” often don’t understand each other. Drawing on nearly four decades of coaching, Dennis Paquette shows how leaders can grow and succeed in the arena they’re already in, become the best at what they do, and reach the next level. His answer is process thinking, which he will break down and coach participants on how to weave into their sport, work and life as a key growth strategy. Participants will leave ready to hold themselves and others to a higher standard, with a clear path for getting there.

Dennis Paquette is in his fifth year as an assistant wrestling coach and faculty professor at the University of Olivet, where he helps develop student-athletes both on the mat and in the classroom. A USA Wrestling Silver Certified coach, he is a member of the Michigan Wrestling Hall of Fame (2023) and was selected for induction into the National Wrestling Hall of Fame Class of 2026 in recognition of his outstanding contributions to the sport.

I Thought I Knew Me…Then Other People Showed Up: EQ of it All

Dr. T.J. Niño
Session: Wednesday, 1-1:30 p.m.

Join Dr. T.J. Niño for an exploration of emotional intelligence and its role in courageous, responsible leadership. Through storytelling, humor, personal reflection, and guided audience questions, participants will journey through four interconnected “corners”: Me, You, Us, and the World Around Us—with emotional intelligence serving as the nucleus. The session’s goal is to help participants understand themselves more honestly, become more curious about others, and recognize how their presence influences relationships, groups, and systems. Participants will leave with three key takeaways: greater awareness of how emotions, assumptions, and triggers shape leadership; practical ways to replace immediate reaction with grace, pace, and space; and a deeper understanding that leadership is defined not only by intention, but also by how others experience our choices, behaviors, and impact.

Dr. T.J. Niño, PhD, is a Chicago-based Learning & Development executive with 20+ years of experience across behavioral healthcare, human services, government, and nonprofit sectors. She has led learning strategy and organizational effectiveness at organizations including Gateway Foundation and Heartland Alliance, building training institutes, workforce development programs, and culture-transformation initiatives from the ground up. She holds a Ph.D. in Organizational Leadership, previously served as an adjunct instructor at the University of Chicago and The Chicago School of Professional Psychology, and runs an independent consulting practice specializing in leadership development and organizational change.

Courageous Networking Using the ACE IDEALS

Joylyn Stover, Ed.D., Assistant Professor
Session: Wednesday, 1:45 – 2:30 p.m.

Designed for women across professions and career stages, this session reframes networking from an optional activity to an essential act of courage—one that builds individual capacity while fulfilling a social responsibility to advance other women. Grounded in the 2026 theme, “Build Your Capacity to Lead Courageously,” it emphasizes that courageous networking is not just personal advancement; it is how we collectively reshape workplaces to be more equitable and inclusive. Drawing on the ACE Women’s Network IDEALS—Identify, Develop, Encourage, Advance, Link, and Support—this framework is universally applicable across industries. Research shows women who build close-knit networks are more successful in securing leadership positions. Courageous networking requires the courage to be visible, advocate for oneself and others, ask for what you need, build authentic connections, and create pathways for those who follow. Participants will leave with a personalized courageous networking action plan adaptable to any professional context.

Dr. Joylyn Stover is a tenure-track assistant professor in the College of Business and Leadership at The University of Olivet, where she empowers the workforce through coaching, self-awareness, and courageous leadership. Her work embodies the ACE Women’s Network IDEALS: she identifies and develops emerging leaders, encourages calculated risks, and advances their careers. She creates a psychologically safe space for experimentation, modeling the courage she teaches by doing the work alongside her students. As former director of the Women’s Leadership Institute, Dr. Stover links and supports women through the MI-ACE network. Her commitment to courageous networking is rooted in a nearly two-decade career at Consumers Energy, where she empowered frontline workers to transform their work experience—the focus of her doctoral dissertation. Dr. Stover holds an Educational Doctorate in Transformational Leadership and Coaching, two Master’s degrees, and a Bachelor of Arts in Environmental Science. She is CEO of the nonprofit River Trail Farms and a 24-year resident of Jackson, Michigan. She is married with four young adult children.

I said “Yes”…now what? Leading the Hard Things We Choose to Do.

Beth Blatt, MS, M.Ed., Alternative Education Regional Director, Principal, Actress
Wednesday, 2:30-3:15 p.m.

Courageous leadership is personal before it is positional. Before we can lead organizations, schools, businesses or communities boldly, we have to be willing to lead ourselves: our reactions, our assumptions, our values, our mistakes, our conversations and our next steps. Courageous leadership isn’t about being fearless. It’s about knowing what matters, owning your part, and choosing to act—even when it’s uncomfortable. In this session, we will explore these leadership themes together:

• Self-awareness — What do I believe? What triggers me? What am I avoiding?
• Leading from values — What do I stand for when standing for it is inconvenient?
• Ownership — What part of this belongs to me?
• Trust & hard conversations — Am I willing to say what needs to be said?
• Setbacks → forward motion — What will I do next?

Beth Blatt has spent 34 years saying yes to students who need a different path. As leader of Heart Mountain Academy, a Nationally Distinguished Alternative Education School, she has redefined alternative education by fostering a culture of belonging where every student feels valued, challenged and capable of growth. She elevates student voice through student-led electives and a Senior Council, and her relational, servant-leadership style builds trust with students, staff and families.

Beth develops leadership in educators across Wyoming and beyond as NAEA Region 7 Director, WASSP Alternative School Director and a mentor with Mentor-307/Principal Leadership Academy.

Her courage extends beyond the classroom. Beth is also an actor and an engaged community leader, and she brings the same creativity, presence and commitment to service to the stage and to her community. In every role, she believes that people who feel seen, supported and inspired can achieve extraordinary things.

Same Circus, Different Clown. Find the Courage to Change the Circus

Michael Koscielny, Jr., MBA, CPCU, CIC, ITP, Adjunct Professor, The University of Olivet and Marquette University
Wednesday, 4 – 4:45 p.m.

Organizations often change leaders, restructure teams, introduce new processes, or launch the latest initiative, only to discover that the same problems remain. Maybe the clown isn’t the problem. Maybe it’s time to look at the circus.

This interactive leadership session challenges participants to look beyond individuals and examine the culture, systems, habits, incentives, and tolerated behaviors that influence performance. Participants will explore how courageous leaders recognize unhealthy patterns, challenge “that’s how we’ve always done it,” and take intentional action to create meaningful and lasting change.

The session concludes with a simple challenge:

Don’t just survive the circus.

Find the courage to change it.

Mike Koscielny is the founder of Born2Lead, LLC, where he’s on a mission to build bold, confident leaders for tomorrow. With more than 45 years in the insurance world, he’s seen it all, and now shares those lessons through workshops and coaching. His two books Born2Lead: Lessons in Leadership, published in 2023 and Ten Hail Mary’s and a Peanut Butter Sandwich, published in 2026 enjoyed by readers on 5 continents.

Mike teaches for Marquette University’s undergrad RMI program, The University of Olivet’s MBA program, and Harper College’s RMI program. He speaks nationwide, known for blending humor, real-world wisdom, and a passion for helping people grow. When he’s not mentoring future leaders, you can find him in rural Wisconsin with his wife, Deborah, and their two dogs, Teddy and Kevin, who keep him humble (and entertained).

Mike served as 2017 CPCU Society President and is the 2026 President of the Society of Insurance Trainers and Educators.

Courage to C.A.Re.: Leading with Compassion, Advocacy, and Recovery

Brad Gronke, Ed.D., CPCU, Director of The University of Olivet Insurance & Risk Management Program
Wednesday, 6 – 6:35 p.m.

Courageous leadership is not defined by a title or position; it is revealed in the choices we make when circumstances are difficult, outcomes are uncertain, and people are depending on us to lead. In this session, Dr. Brad Gronke explores courageous leadership through the C.A.Re. framework of Compassion, Advocacy, and Recovery, connecting these principles to ethical decision-making, personal accountability, and our responsibility to others. Drawing from more than 25 years of experience across insurance, business, public service, and leadership, Dr. Gronke will challenge participants to consider how compassion allows us to see the person behind the problem, how advocacy calls us to use our voice and influence on behalf of others, and how recovery moves individuals and organizations beyond adversity toward restoration, growth, and meaningful change.

Through practical examples and engaging conversation, participants will examine what it means to lead with empathy without sacrificing accountability, advocating even when doing so is difficult, and recognize that recovery is not simply returning to where we were; it is creating the opportunity to move forward stronger. Participants will leave with a simple but powerful leadership question: When leadership becomes difficult, will you have the courage to C.A.Re.?

Session Takeaways

• Lead with compassion while maintaining accountability. Participants will learn how to recognize the person behind the problem and use empathy to make stronger, more thoughtful leadership decisions.
• Practice courageous advocacy. Participants will examine how to use their voice, position, and influence to advocate for others, particularly when doing so may be uncomfortable or difficult.
• Redefine recovery as forward movement. Participants will understand recovery not simply as returning to where individuals or organizations were before adversity, but as an opportunity for restoration, growth, resilience, and meaningful change.

Dr. Brad Gronke is the Director of Insurance and Risk Management and an Associate Professor in the College of Business and Leadership at The University of Olivet, where he also serves as advisor to the Alpha Alpha Chapter of Gamma Iota Sigma. An accomplished insurance professional, educator, author, and leader, Dr. Gronke brings more than 25 years of experience spanning insurance, business, leadership, public safety, and organizational development.

He holds an Ed.D. in Leadership, an MBA in Organizational Behavior, an M.S. in Social Justice, and a B.A. in Criminal Justice, along with numerous insurance industry designations, including CPCU, AIC, AIS, AIM, and SCLA.

Dr. Gronke is the author of *C.A.Re.: Compassion, Advocacy, Recovery*, which reflects his people-centered approach to leadership and insurance. His professional work has included claims leadership, workers’ compensation, training and development, consulting, and risk management. As an educator, he is committed to preparing the next generation of insurance professionals through experiential learning, ethical leadership, industry engagement, and meaningful connections between the classroom and the profession.

Designing Your Path: A Fireside Chat on Creativity, Persistence, and Collaboration in Fashion

Kelly Renee Bailey, Coastal Fashion & Athletics Entrepreneur and Bradley McIlrath, Global Head of Product at Liquid Yacht Wear and Captain of Fashion
Wednesday, 7:30 – 8:15 p.m.

Behind every product on a store shelf — or every idea sketched on a napkin — is a story of setbacks, revisions, and second drafts. In this fireside chat, two fashion industry veterans — a global product executive whose work has shaped major entertainment, hospitality, and retail brands, and a senior designer whose collections have touched some of the biggest names in activewear and specialty retail — sit down to talk honestly about what it really takes to build a career in fashion design, whether inside an established company or as a founder building something of your own. Together they’ll explore how creativity survives tight deadlines and harsh feedback, why persistence matters more than talent alone, and how the best product comes from collaboration — with teams, vendors, and mentors. Students dreaming of a fashion career or their own brand will leave with practical insight and the courage to start creating now.

Kelly is a senior fashion designer and consultant with deep expertise in activewear, wovens, knits, denim, and embellished apparel. With more than a decade in product development for a national apparel company, she shaped seasonal collections across multiple categories. Earlier in her career, she served as a senior designer for a well-known golf and swim apparel portfolio, and held design roles at several major specialty and department store retailers. Today, through her own consulting venture, Kelly advises fashion and activewear companies on design, trend forecasting, and brand management, drawing on decades spent turning creative concepts into market-ready product.

Bradley is a global product and merchandising executive with more than 20 years of experience driving product strategy, brand growth, and category innovation across luxury, lifestyle, hospitality, and major retail sectors. He currently leads global product strategy for a private equity-backed leader in luxury marine apparel and uniforms. Previously, as head of global product for a major entertainment and hospitality brand, he managed a quarter-billion-dollar P&L and led high-profile product collaborations with world-renowned athletes, musicians, and motorsports organizations. His career spans leadership roles at several national and global retailers, where he built a reputation for blending commercial strategy with culturally relevant brand storytelling.

The Courage of Champions – The A.D.’s POV

Sam Hargraves, Athletic Director, Head Men’s Basketball Coach, The University of Olivet
Thursday, 9:15 – 9:45 a.m.

Every team has seasons when the results don’t match the effort. Courage in those seasons doesn’t look like a big speech. It looks like showing up the next day, believing in your people, and building the culture you want before anyone else can see it. Championships, in the end, are earned by the people around you: the players, staff, and families who keep showing up.

Drawing on more than two decades of building teams in the MIAA, Sam Hargraves will explore what it takes to stay the course, recruit and develop the right people, and give the credit away. As Olivet’s new Athletic Director, he’ll also take on a question many leaders face sooner or later: how do you lead well when your role grows from one team to many? Whether you lead a team, a classroom, a department, or a family, this session will help you think about what you’re building and who you’re building it with.

Takeaways

• The courage to stay the course: how to keep building when results lag behind effort
• People before trophies: why recruiting and developing the right people matters more than any single win
• Giving the credit away: how team-first leadership builds trust and lasting success
• Believing in the underdog: what big wins in hard seasons can teach a group about itself
• Leading a bigger team: the courage it takes to widen your scope, let go of control, and champion programs you don’t run directly
• Measuring what matters: defining success by the people you develop, not only by the scoreboard

Sam Hargraves is the Athletic Director and head men’s basketball coach at The University of Olivet, where he is in his eighth season leading the Comets. In 2025-26, his team won Olivet’s first outright MIAA regular-season title since 1972. Sam was named MIAA Coach of the Year and NABC District 7 Co-Coach of the Year, honors he credits to his players and staff. Before coming to Olivet, he spent eight seasons as head coach at Alma College. There he led the Scots to a school-record 24 wins and a run to the NCAA Division III Elite Eight, and he has received numerous coaching awards, including the 2016 NABC Great Lakes Region Coach of the Year. A native of Alanson, Michigan, and a Calvin College graduate, Sam played three varsity seasons for the Knights and earned All-MIAA honors. He most values the chance to positively influence the lives of the young men in his program. Sam lives in Olivet with his wife, Annalyse, and their children, Sophia, Sydney, and Samuel Tyler.

The Courage to Ask: Getting the Support You Need to Succeed

Deb Paquette ’88, Director of Student Support and Accommodations, The University of Olivet
Thursday, 10 – 10:45 a.m.

What if you’re trying to learn, you’re hitting a roadblock that maybe you can or can’t identify, and you don’t know how to get help? For many students, the hardest part of higher education isn’t the coursework — it’s finding the courage to ask for help when you’re stuck. In this practical, encouraging session, Deb Paquette, Director of Student Support and Accommodations at The University of Olivet, demystifies how academic accommodations work at a small university: what they are (and aren’t), who qualifies, and how to get started, whether you arrive with an IEP, a 504 plan, or no paperwork at all. Students will leave knowing exactly who to ask and what to say. Parents, faculty, and administrators will gain tools to create an environment where asking feels safe — and to guide students toward the support that helps them succeed. Because asking for help isn’t a weakness. It’s courageous leadership.

Deb Paquette is the Director of Student Support and Accommodations at The University of Olivet, where she leads the development, coordination and monitoring of programs that support students’ academic success. She coordinates academic accommodations for eligible students, serves as a secondary advisor for students with disabilities, disorders and impairments, and meets with students throughout the year to make sure their accommodations provide the support they need. Deb also coordinates the Peer Tutoring Program and guides the development of new student support initiatives.

A 1988 graduate of The University of Olivet with a bachelor’s degree in education, Deb spent 33 years in K–12 education as an elementary teacher, elementary principal and superintendent, including 23 years as a director of special education services.

To Boldly Serve in Times of Crisis

Dan Pantaleo, Major, USMC (Ret.) | Olivet College, Class of 1985
Thursday, 10:30 – 11:15 a.m.

On September 11, 2001, Marine Major Dan Pantaleo ran toward the burning Pentagon, though no one had asked him to. For four days he worked in the smoldering wreckage recovering the fallen, and he climbed a lift to retrieve a Marine Corps flag still standing on the fourth floor, untouched amid the destruction. That flag now rests in the National Museum of the Marine Corps as a symbol of resilience and refusal to quit.

But courage like that isn’t born in a single moment. It is built over a lifetime. In this session, Dan traces the habits that prepared him: the discipline of the wrestling mat at Olivet College, the structure of 20 years as a Marine officer, and a deep sense of personal and social responsibility carried into business, teaching, and public service. Through candid stories, he shows how the “small” commitments we practice every day become the foundation for bold action when it matters most, and why serving others is itself a courageous way to lead.

Key Takeaways for Students and Emerging Leaders

• Courage is trained, not summoned. The discipline you build in routine practice, in class, in athletics, and at work, is what shows up when a crisis demands action.
• Structure frees you to act. Clear values, habits, and preparation don’t limit leaders; they give them the steadiness to move decisively when everything around them is chaos.
• Responsibility extends beyond your job description. Leaders step in because they feel accountable to the people and community around them, not because they’re told to.
• Something to consider: What discipline are you practicing today that could prepare you to act with courage tomorrow? Where in your community is there a need you could step toward, even if no one has asked you to?

Dan Pantaleo is a retired U.S. Marine Corps Major, author, public speaker, and proud Olivet College alumnus, where he captained the varsity wrestling team and served as president of Omicron Delta Kappa. Over a 20-year career as a Marine communications and information systems officer, he served in the Pentagon on 9/11 and joined the response efforts in the days that followed. After retiring from the Corps, Dan spent more than a decade in the defense industry, leading program management, proposal operations, and business development at BAE Systems and AECOM/URS, while also teaching information systems at Strayer University. He holds a B.S. in Political Science from Olivet College and an M.S. in IT Systems Management from Capitol College.

Smooth Sailing: How to Safely Stabilize in Rough Waters

Julie Davidson, Consultant
Thursday, 11-11:45 a.m.

Having trouble getting your sea legs on the stormy seas of difficult conversations and high-drama personalities? In this interactive workshop, Julie Davidson will present three core techniques to keep an even keel when conditions become choppy. We’ll work through some conversational scenarios together so that you sail on with increased clarity and confidence as you navigate future conversations.

Julie is a seasoned leadership coach, facilitator, and consultant known for her dynamic, equity-centered approach to developing leaders and teams. She designs customized leadership programs for organizations committed to professional and personal growth, helping leaders feel better equipped to navigate change and tackle tough challenges. Julie’s academic background includes a master’s degree in Sociology and certifications as a Co-Active Coach and Organizational and Relationship Systems Coach. She is a Graduate Student in Clinical Mental Health Counseling and a Graduate Assistant for Graduate Business Programs at the University of Olivet.

Building Community through Courageous Connection - Authentic Storytelling Demo by Courageous Creatives

Matthew Dyer ’11, Founder and Creative Director of My Creative Wander and Leah Hopkins ’24, Founder, Graphic Designer, Photographer at Hoppy’s Designs | Thursday, 12 – 12:45 p.m.

Leah holds a Bachelor of Arts in Graphic Design from The University of Olivet ’24 as well as an Associate of Science in Graphic Design from Kellogg Community College ’21. Since 2018, she has been strengthening her skills through education, internships, and professional employment in the Midwest. As a UOlivet student, Leah participated in a total of six internships and work-study positions by the time she graduated, including being employed by The University of Olivet’s Marketing Team as a Graphic Design Intern.

Post-graduation, Leah has been running her own creative business, Hoppy’s Designs, works as a full-time Creative Graphic Designer for Tranter Graphics in Syracuse, Indiana, and also designs wedding suites for The Printed Event in Kalamazoo, MI on a contract basis. She’s an Influential Women Verified, an award-winning photographer, and for better or worse, doesn’t know how to stop pushing the envelope to be the very best professional she can be.

Matthew Dyer is a creative strategist, communication leader, and multimedia producer with more than a decade of experience helping people understand ideas, adopt new tools, and connect through meaningful experiences. His background spans learning and development, instructional design, project leadership, storytelling, and strategic communication, with experience supporting organizations including Microsoft, Amazon, the University of Washington, and Auto-Owners Insurance.

Matthew is the founder and creative director of My Creative Wander, an independent media studio focused on storytelling, multimedia production, communication strategy, and community building. He is also the founder of 3 Years: Tales from the Pandemic, a creative community platform that connects artists, crafters, storytellers, musicians, and other creators who have a story to share about how the pandemic affected their lives and creative journeys. The community brings together creators to reflect on those experiences, share their work, build relationships, and support one another through collaborative programming, promotion, and shared storytelling.

Matthew has a Bachelor of Computer Science from The University of Olivet and is currently completing his Master of Communication Leadership at the University of Washington.

Courageously Healing Public Spaces

Audra Carson ’87 – CEO of Izzie Global, Executive Director of Alter EnerG, Member of The University of Olivet Board of Trustees
Thursday, 1 – 1:45 p.m.

What does the care of our shared spaces say about how we value the people who live there? Too often, that care happens only when things fall apart, and the people doing it go unseen. Audra Carson shares how Izzie Global, an environmental solutions and corridor stewardship company, is reframing maintenance as infrastructure, not invisible labor. Drawing on work across Metro Detroit, she shows how public space cleaning, ecological beautification, waste management, and community engagement come together to restore dignity to the places people move through every day. Participants will leave with a deeper understanding of the courage it takes to lead consistent, long-term stewardship. You’ll also gain fresh ideas for caring for the spaces you share at work, at home, and in your communities.

Audra is CEO of Izzie Global, an environmental solutions and corridor stewardship company, and Executive Director of Alter EnerG. She is also a four-time Spirit of Detroit Award recipient. Raised in Detroit, she grew up attending civic meetings with her parents. Her father’s 40 years as Block Club President planted the seed for Izzie Global, which is named for her mother. After corporate roles that never matched her purpose, Audra built a company devoted to the dignity of labor, ecological responsibility, and community trust. A 1987 Olivet College graduate, she now serves on the Board of Trustees of The University of Olivet.

Claim your Creative Courage – A Hands-On Artistic Experiment

Dr. Peter Stover, Chicago Public Schools Art Educator, Transformational Leadership Coach
Thursday, 2:30 – 3:15 PM

Creativity isn’t a talent reserved for artists. It’s a capacity every leader can build, and using it takes courage. In this interactive session, Dr. Peter Stover, an art educator and transformational leadership scholar, invites participants to set aside the fear of judgment and reconnect with their own creative confidence. Drawing on design thinking and research on the creative mind, Peter will guide you through hands-on, low-stakes activities that make creativity visible and practical. Expect to sketch, brainstorm, build on others’ ideas, and work in small groups with attendees from around the world. Along the way, you’ll notice what holds your creativity back, try new ways of thinking, and practice reframing challenges as opportunities. No artistic experience is required. Just bring curiosity, something to write or draw with, and a willingness to play. You’ll leave with simple tools to spark fresh thinking in your work, your teams, and your community.

Dr. Peter Stover is a transformational educational leader, ethnographer and coach focused on creating the most optimal systems for learning, growth and development of humanity and the civilization of the future. Currently, he serves as a Visual Art Educator, curriculum designer and lead mentor Chicago Public Schools. Additionally, he will teach the Art of Leadership course for The University of Olivet. His ongoing mission is to discover, translate and transmit the cultural wisdom and innovative practices that will elevate humanity to a higher level of consciousness and support others in achieving their greatest potential in this lifetime.

Courageous Leadership Without a Map: What Science Teaches Us About Acting Under Uncertainty

Stephen Kolomyjec ’05, Ph.D., Associate Professor of Biology, The University of Olivet
Thursday, 3:15 – 4 p.m.

Scientists rarely have the luxury of complete information. We gather evidence, make the best decision we can, test it against reality, and adapt when the results surprise us. Leadership often works the same way. Drawing on a career that has taken him from Olivet to remote rivers of Australia and Tasmania, to faculty leadership, to building major research initiatives, and back home to his alma mater, Dr. Stephen Kolomyjec will explore what it means to move forward when the outcome is uncertain. Through stories of opportunities taken, unexpected results and changing plans, programs built from scratch, and students empowered to do things they did not yet know they could do, participants will consider how courageous leaders balance evidence, risk, curiosity, and action. It all starts with one small step into the unknown.

Key takeaways: 

• Distinguish courageous action from reckless risk-taking.
• Recognize when they have enough information to take the next responsible step.
• Consider how leadership can create opportunities and capacity for others.

Dr. Stephen Kolomyjec is a zoologist, population geneticist, educator, and 2005 graduate of Olivet College. After leaving Michigan to earn his Ph.D. at James Cook University in Australia, he conducted postdoctoral research at the University of Tasmania and held faculty positions at Ohio Northern University and Lake Superior State University before returning to Olivet in 2024.

His research, published in leading journals including Molecular Biology and Evolution and Communications Biology,  has ranged from the population genetics and conservation of the platypus to the biodiversity, genomics, and ecology of freshwater sponges. His work has been supported by the National Geographic Society and the National Science Foundation, and he has served as principal investigator or co-principal investigator on major scientific instrumentation projects.

Across his teaching, research, and institutional service, Dr. Kolomyjec focuses on building opportunities for others—particularly by involving undergraduate students in authentic scientific research and creating the tools, programs, and environments that allow them to succeed.

What’s Your AI Type? How Your Strategic Posture Shapes Courageous Leadership

Kelly Corey, Ph.D., Professor of Business / Director of Master of Arts in Leadership
Thursday, 4-4:45 p.m.

Many leaders are already forming a strategic relationship with AI — the question is whether that relationship is intentional. This interactive workshop with Dr. Kelly Corey invites participants to discover their personal “AI Type”: are you a Prospector, Defender, Analyzer or Reactor, typologies discovered decades ago by organizational theorists Miles & Snow? We now know that these strategies connect closely to how people adopt and use technology. Through a short self-assessment and guided reflection, attendees will uncover their default patterns of trust, control, and curiosity when working alongside intelligent systems — and how those patterns shape decisions, team culture, and ethical judgment.

Grounded in a human-centered leadership framework, the session moves beyond tools and tactics to ask a courageous question: what kind of leader do you want to be in an AI-enabled world? Participants will leave with language for their own AI tendencies, a clearer sense of blind spots and strengths, and practical next steps for leading with both confidence and humility as AI reshapes how decisions get made.

Kelly’s work focuses on leadership development, responsible technology integration, and building the capacity of people and organizations to navigate AI-fueled change with confidence and discernment. As an AI thought leader and educator, she develops practical, human-centered approaches to help nonprofits strengthen their use of emerging technologies and prepare college students for the transition from campus to career in an AI-shaped workplace. Drawing on experience as a nonprofit executive director, consultant, professor, and program leader, Kelly helps individuals and organizations translate complex ideas into practical strategies for growth, leadership, and impact. While screens and keyboards bound the bulk of her work, she urges everyone, including herself, to get out into the woods to fuel the soul as much as possible.